koningsblauw

Koningsblauw is the Dutch term for a shade of blue commonly translated as royal blue. The name reflects its association with royalty, formality, and prestige, and it is used in heraldry, uniforms, and official branding in the Netherlands and in Dutch-speaking contexts. The exact hue is not fixed by law and varies by medium and standard; it generally denotes a vivid, deep blue with high saturation.

In color systems, koningsblauw is often aligned with the shade known in English as royal blue. In web colors this roughly corresponds to hex code #4169E1 (RGB 65,105,225), though Dutch design palettes may use slightly lighter or darker variants. The term appears in fashion, sports teams, and institutional branding to convey tradition and authority.

Historically, blue tones associated with royalty have been prized in European textiles and insignia, contributing to the cultural association of this hue with power and dignity. In contemporary usage, koningsblauw serves as a descriptive label for a family of blue tones rather than a single standardized pigment.

See also: blue, royal blue, color naming in Dutch, heraldry.